We have a great guest to kick off the
return of The Interrogation Room. Nick
Bucci, a Timber Rattlers pitcher in 2010, pitched for Brevard County
in the Florida State League this past season. He was just in the news as
part of the Canadian Baseball team that won bronze at the World Cup of Baseball
in Panama and gold at the Pan American Games in Mexico.

Let's get to the interview.

The Interrogation Room: Congratulations
on being part of Canada's Gold medal winning team at the Pan Am Games in
Guadalajara, Mexico. What did you enjoy the most about the experience?

Nick
Bucci: Thank
you, I definitely appreciate it. Having a couple of weeks to sit back and
realize what we had truly accomplished for Canadian Baseball, I find myself
gaining more appreciation towards what we did everyday. Looking back to
the moment standing on the middle of the podium with all the players, after we
had all received our medals and simultaneously we pointed towards all of our
coaches who were watching from the dugout, just to show them the proper respect
they deserved for all there hard work. That moment can sum up our whole
experience.

TIR:
You also came back with a bronze medal from the World Cup of Baseball in Panama.
By our count, in the last three major international baseball tournaments, Canada
has won two bronze medals and a gold. To what do you account the recent
run of success?

NB: I
think hats have to go off to the players that paved Canadian Baseball before us,
whether it be Larry Walker, Justin Morneau, Joey Votto, the list can go on and
on now-a-days but they truly created a path for young Canadians to succeed.
Also, Canadian
Baseball wouldn't be at where it is
today if it weren't for the man behind it all, Greg Hamilton, who has engineered
the rapid development of baseball in Canada.

TIR:
Jim
Henderson and Brock
Kjeldgaard were on Team Canada, too. We saw that Brock had some big
hits. What else can you tell us about the performance of these other two
former Rattlers during the tournaments?

NB: Jim Henderson was
the backbone of our bullpen all tournament, he came in in key situations
numerous times and gave gutsy performances to lock down wins for this ball club.
Brock came through with his bat at times we needed him the most, knowing he has
the ability to hit the long ball on every swing can be very devastating to an
opponent.

TIR: One thing that
some of our twitter followers couldn't believe was that Brock played center
for Canada. How would you rate his performance out there?

NB: The
thing about Brock is, for being such a large person, he is still very agile,
reads balls off the bat very well, and has a strong arm to make the necessary
throws from center. For being such a good athlete there aren't many positions on
the field that he can't play.

TIR:
How would you rate your season in Brevard County?

NB: Overall I feel like I
had a fairly successful season with the Manatees. There were things I wanted to
accomplish and implement into my pitching and for the most part I am happy with.
There is always work to do but there were strides made and things learned this
past year that I can take with me for the rest of my career.

TIR:
What was the biggest adjustment you had to make from the Midwest League to the
Florida State League?

NB: I
look towards 2 factors for me, personally. One being, working ahead in the
count. It's harped on in baseball a ton but to get first pitch strikes helps in
a pitchers favor immensely. Second, having the confidence in your fastball to
throw it in any count or any situation is vital in a pitchers success.

TIR:
We've noticed on your twitter - @nickbooch
- that you have incorporated hot yoga into your offseason workouts. What
is hot yoga and how is it supposed to help you as a pitcher?

NB: Yes,
everyone follow me and my off season maneuvers as I get ready for the 2012
season. Hot yoga is basically yoga in a room that reaches upwards of 105 degrees
which allows you to get deeper into stretches. Regards to pitching, it not only
helps you with flexibility, there is a focus on balance, power, endurance and
core strength within these classes. For me, all this is crucial to endure a
baseball season as a pitcher.

TIR:
Speaking of twitter, there are a lot of current Brewers minor league players on
twitter. Who is your favorite to follow?

NB: I
enjoy checking to see what guys are up too. I'm fairly new to the twitter world
so I haven't deemed anyone my favorite to follow but I advise you to follow
Maverick Lasker - @LaskerMaverick
- he's also new to the game so show him some love.

TIR:
What do you think 2012 holds for you?

NB:
I'm just trying to train as hard as I can now to give myself the best chance for
a successful 2012. I can't quite predict what 2012 brings but I definitely look
forward to it.